Former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Lonzo Ball recently shared insights into his performance this season on his podcast, "Ball In The Family." Addressing his shooting struggles, Ball candidly discussed his challenges from beyond the arc.
“I don’t feel like I’m playing as badly as people are saying. I know I’m the scapegoat right now," Ball expressed.
“I'm not gonna say I'm playing great. But to me, I’m just missing shots, for real.”
In his 35 games with Cleveland before being traded to the Utah Jazz, Ball was shooting a career-low 27.2% from three-point range. This marks a significant dip from his previous career-low of 30.5% during his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
So, is Ball truly a scapegoat in Cleveland?
It seems unlikely. The Cavaliers' acquisition of guards Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis from the Sacramento Kings made Ball expendable.
Additionally, Cleveland's salary cap constraints necessitated moving Ball's $10 million salary. With the highest payroll in the league, keeping Ball wasn't feasible, especially after he slid down the depth chart.
The James Harden trade added another layer, as Harden's presence further crowded the guard position. Cleveland needed to manage their finances to pursue an extension with Harden, making Ball's departure a strategic move.
Since Ball's exit, the Cavaliers have been on a tear, remaining undefeated post-trade deadline.